Nirjala Ekadashi

Nirjala Ekadashi is considered the most sacred, powerful, and rigorous of all the twenty-four Ekadashi fasts in the Hindu calendar. Celebrated on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi (eleventh day of the waxing moon) in the month of Jyeshtha (typically occurring in June), this day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and demands the most austere fast.

The name Nirjala translates literally to "without water" (Nir = without, Jala = water). Devotees observing this vow refrain from consuming any food or even a single drop of water for 24 hours, starting from sunrise on Ekadashi to sunrise on Dwadashi.

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The Story of Bheema and Nirjala Ekadashi

In the Mahabharata, this Ekadashi is also known as Pandava Bhima Ekadashi.

The Pandava brothers and their wife Draupadi sincerely observed all 24 Ekadashi fasts during their exile. However, Bheema, who possessed an insatiable appetite (often called Vrikodara or wolf-bellied), found it impossible to stay without food for even a single day. Distressed by his inability to perform these spiritual duties, Bheema approached Sage Vedavyasa for guidance.

Sage Vyasa advised him that if he could not fast twice a month on every Ekadashi, he should observe a complete, waterless fast on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi. The sage assured Bheema that observing this single, extremely difficult fast with complete devotion would grant him the virtue and merit (punya) equivalent to observing all 24 Ekadashis of the year. Bheema successfully undertook the challenge and attained the supreme virtue, which is why this day is also celebrated in his honor.